Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo has issued a stern warning to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, threatening to introduce a motion that would permanently bar him from contesting for any public office in Kenya. The legislator accused Gachagua of engaging in divisive and tribal politics that threaten national unity.
Speaking during a funds drive in Rongo on Sunday, Amollo expressed concern over Gachagua’s recent utterances, which he claims are laced with ethnic overtones aimed at destabilizing the government and undermining President William Ruto’s leadership.
“Everyday you speak, we realize you never learnt your lesson,” said Amollo. “We impeached you under Article 75 of the Constitution. We did not go far enough — we only impeached you. If you continue speaking that divisive language, we will come back with a special motion under Article 75(3), which declares that anyone removed from office under Article 75 cannot stand for any public office in life.”
Article 75 of the Constitution of Kenya deals with the conduct of state officers and provides grounds for impeachment based on violation of the Constitution, gross misconduct, or abuse of office. Amollo indicated that Parliament could leverage this provision to ensure Gachagua is disqualified from future electoral contests.
Gachagua was impeached by the Senate in 2024 following a contentious period marked by accusations of insubordination and misconduct during his tenure as Deputy President. Since then, he has launched a political campaign aimed at undermining his former boss, President Ruto, in what many perceive as a bid to reinvent himself ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, his critics argue that Gachagua’s approach has been tribal and inflammatory, with several leaders within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and the broader government accusing him of fanning ethnic tensions for political gain.
Amollo’s remarks mark an escalation in the political battle lines drawn between Gachagua and his former allies, suggesting that legal means may now be explored to keep him permanently out of public office. Whether such a motion will be tabled and succeed remains to be seen, but the warning is clear divisive politics may come at a steep political price.
